Telecommunications connection cabinet with holder for storing fiber optic connectors and corresponding method

[0001] The present invention generally relates to fiber optic telecommunications connection devices.

More specifically, the present invention relates to multi-position holders for fiber optic connectors.

Background of the invention [0002] Fiber optic communication and fiber optic communication service are being extended to an increasing number of recipients, both commercial and residential. However, not all recipients for whom this service is available are currently ready to accept and use such a service. In addition, new services and connection devices may be provided in commercial and residential development projects, but at a time before the sets are built or ready to move in. In such circumstances, it is desirable to have an easily scalable solution to assist in connecting new customers to existing connections within parts of the installed connection equipment and to expand the number of connections available within that installed equipment. [0003] European document EP-0975180-A1 presents an optical fiber distribution module comprising a splitter and a storage section for storing unused optical fiber cables. Including, connector plugs not in use with fiber optic cables that are included in the coupling device on the holding board.

Summary of the Invention [0004] The present invention relates to a telecommunications cabinet as defined in claim 1.

[0005] The telecommunications cabinet includes a connector holder with at least one hole in the housing for receiving a fiber optic connector and protecting the polished face of the connector. The connector handle includes a release latch at one end that cooperates to mount the housing within the housing opening with a tongue at the other end with a separable mounting partition.

[0006] The present invention further relates to a method of increasing the fiber optic connection capacity of a telecommunications connection cabinet as defined in claim 14. The splitter is mounted in the cabinet and the splitter cable is connected to an outside plant cable. The splitter splits the optical signal from the external cable location into multiple optical fiber cables terminated with optical fiber connectors. This variety of cables is directed from the splitter to the cable management area and to the excess cable storage area. Many connectors of these cables are inserted into the connector holder, and the connector holder is inserted into the mounting hole in the excess cable storage area. The cabinet contains a number of adapters that can be used when needed to connect the splitter cable to the recipient's equipment cable.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0007] The attached drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of the description, represent several aspects

Of the present invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a fiber optic telecommunications connection cabinet including the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of the present invention in front view only with imaging cables shown to indicate routing.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of a fiber optic telecommunications connection cabinet, including a multi-position fiber optic connector holder according to the present invention in a front view, only with imaging cables shown to indicate routing.

FIG. 3 shows a mounting partition for placing a multi-position fiber optic connector in a front perspective view, as shown in figures 1 and 2, with a multi-position fiber optic connector inserted into one of the plurality of mounting holes.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a multi-position fiber optic connector holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 4 in perspective view from

<td colspan="4">so many.</td>

<td>FIG. 6</td><td>presents the second</td><td>multi</td><td>handle</td>

<td>connectors</td><td>fiber optic with</td><td>FIG. 4th century</td><td>view</td>

<td colspan="2">perspective from the back.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>FIG. 7</td><td colspan="2">shows a multi-position handle</td><td>connectors</td>

the fiber optic cable of FIG. 4 in the front view.

-5FIG. 8 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 4 in rear view.

FIG. 9 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 4 in top view.

FIG. 10 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 4 in the bottom view.

FIG. 11 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 7 in cross-sectional side view, along line 11/11.

FIG. 12 shows the second multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 7 in cross-sectional view, along the 12/12 line.

FIG. 13 shows the multi-position fiber optic connector holder of FIG. 7 in cross-sectional view, along lines 13-13.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the fiber splitter module as shown within the cabinets in Figures 1 and 2.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a fiber optic device of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a front view of a third embodiment of a telecommunications connection cabinet of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a fourth example of a telecommunications cabinet according to the present invention.

shows a fifth example of telecommunications connections of the present invention in a front perspective view.

according to implementation

FIG. 17 wardrobes made according to

FIG. 18 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of the telecommunications cabinet of the present invention with an excess storage area

-6 fibers mounted adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall.

FIG. 19 shows a mounting partition for placing a multi-position fiber optic connector holder in a front perspective view as shown in FIG. 18, with a multi-position fiber optic connector holder inserted into one of the many mounting holes.

Detailed description [0008] Below are detailed references to exemplary aspects of the present invention, which are set out in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used in all drawings for the same or similar parts.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a telecommunications connection cabinet 100 such as can be mounted on a pedestal or other mounted area where fiber optic communications for customers are desirable. Cabinet 100 provides space for external fiber optic cable locations to be connected to fiber optic distribution cables. The distribution cables are then routed to the recipient's equipment to provide fiber optic services and connectivity at the recipient's premises. A typical layout for providing services to recipients may include using a splitter to interrupt the signal from the outside of the cable (OSP) to multiple distribution cables, with each distribution cable connecting to a particular part of the recipient's equipment. The common splitter can split the optical signal within the OSP cable into thirty-two individual signals and also combine

-7 thirty-two signals to the OSP cable in a two-way communication configuration. Cabinet 100 is essentially similar to that disclosed in US Patent Application No. 10 / 613,764, filed on July 2, 2003, entitled "Telecommunications Connection Cabinet" [0010] Many cables 108 connected to the recipient's equipment may be directed into wardrobe 100. One or more OSP cables 106 may be routed to the cabinet 100 to arrange a braid, such as an optical fiber cassette or panel 110. OSP 106 cables may be braided within the splice panel 110 to a secondary cable 104. Secondary cable 104 is facing away from panel 110 weave to the first cable management structure 112 and feed to the splitter 102 within the splitter mounting area

103. Splitter 102 splits the optical signal transmitted via OSP cable 106 and secondary cable 104 into thirty-two signals directed to an equal number of fiber distribution cables 114. Cables 114 are directed to splitter 102 through the cable management area 112 and to the second cable management area 116 of the dangling portion including a plurality of spools 117 for dangling storage of the dangling cable.

From area 116 of parts, the parts are directed either to the connector holder within the excess cable storage area 118 or to the adapter in the adapter table 120. Each of these cables 114 is preferably terminated with a fiber optic connector.

[0011] Within the excess cable storage area 118, a plurality of connector holders 122 are installed within the mounting slots in the bulkhead 124. Connector holder 122 (described in more detail below) includes cables 114, there may be a plurality of openings for detachably holding the connector.

-8światłowodowego. The holes in the connector holder 122 preferably do not provide optical path continuity, but rather fixes and protects the polished fiber face in each cable 114 that is mounted to the fiber connector terminal. This protection may be provided in conjunction with the front attachment, such as shown in US Patent Application No. 10 / 610,325, filed on the same June 30, 2003. titled "Fiber Optic Connector Holder and Method". Alternatively, connector clamp 122 may surround and protect the polished face of the connector terminating cable 114 without having to use the end cap.

[0012] A plurality of fiber optic adapters 123 are mounted within the adapter array 120, which places the connector terminating cables 114. The cable connector 114 is placed within the opening in the front of the adapter 123. The adapter 123 also includes an opening on the opposite rear, which is adapted to accommodate the connector end of one of the receiver equipment cables 108. The adapters 123 in the adapter table 120 may optically connect one of the cables 114 to one of the cables 108 for transmission of an optical signal from the OSP cable 106 to the recipient equipment connected to this cable 108. Such cable termination connectors and adapters 123 are well known in the art. As shown in FIG. 1, the connectors are SC connectors and it is anticipated that other types, formats, types and sizes of telecommunications connectors may be used.

[0013] Cabinet 100 includes a front portion 126, a pair of opposite sides 128, a rear wall 130, a base 132 and a top portion 134 all cooperating to define the interior 136 in which the various components described above are mounted. The components are

- accessible through the opening 140 in the front part 126, which can be closed by a pair of doors 138.

[0014] Referring now to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the telecommunications connection cabinet 200 contains the same components as cabinet 100. Some of the components are changed in appearance or location, but the functional features are similar to cabinet 100. Cabinet 100 has a pair of panels and 121 adapter plates, each panel 121 contains a total of four rows with eighteen 123 adapters, or seventy-two 123 adapters. Cabinet 200 contains three such adapter table panels, a total of two hundred and sixteen adapters 123. Both cabinets 100 and 200 contain a single partition 124 within the excess cable storage area 118. Each baffle 124 includes three-row mounting holes with three connector holders 122. Each connector holder 122 has a total of eight holes for accommodating, storing and protecting eight cable connectors 114, providing complete storage for up to seventy-two connectors.

[0015] Referring now to FIG. 3, the septum 224 is shown with nine holes 226 in the front surface 228, including the rear surface 229, and one connector handle 122 located within one of the holes 226. A pair of opposing side walls 230 extend backward from the opposite end of the front surface 228 to the pair mounting flanges 232. The mounting flanges 232 include holes 234 of fasteners for the mounting partition 224 to one of the 100 or 200 cabinets or a similarly shaped cabinet. The partition 224 is similar to the partition 124 of figures 1 and 2, except for the one formed so that the front surface 228 would be angled towards one side of the cabinet in which it is mounted. Baffle orientation is known in the industry

-10 including devices for placing optical fiber connectors and providing improved cable management and installation density while, assisting in the protection of the bending radius, among other benefits. As shown above in Figures 1 and 2, the partition 124 has equal length side walls 230, so that the partition 124 is not angled towards either side of the cabinet 100 or 200.

[0016] Each opening 226 includes a first or upper end 227 and a second or lower end 225. A pair of ears 236 is disposed one pair on opposite sides extending from the upper end 227 to the lower end 225, the ears 226 cooperate with the retainer 238 on the handle Connector 122 to orient the connector holder 122 within the opening 226. Connector grip 122 includes a release latch 240 at one end and tab 242 at the opposite end (shown below in Figures 4 to 6) that cooperate to releasably hold connector grip 122 within the opening 226. It is desirable that a direction of force that may be applied to the connector grip 122 by stress in the cables 114 was inspected to prevent accidental release of the connector grip 122 from the hole 226. The retainers 238 and the ears 236 cooperate to ensure that the connector grip 122 is correctly oriented within the opening 226 to counteract accidental releases caused by such cable strain.

[0017] The openings 226 within the front surface 228 of the partition 224 (and the partition 124) are sized to accept up to eight adapters 123 when the connector holders 122 are out of place. This enables bulkhead 124 and 224 to provide additional space for cables 114 optically connecting with cables 108 of the recipient equipment for added

- connection capacity of 100 and 200 cabinets, as well as similarly shaped cabinets.

[0018] Referring now to Figures 4 to 13, the connector holder 122 includes a housing 160 with eight holes 150 for placing and detachably holding the cable connectors 114. As described above, the cables 114 are terminated by an SC-type connector, and the holes 150 are shaped to place and disconnect the SC connector. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the holes 150 run through the housing 160 from the front portion 162 to the rear portion 164, and each of them may receive a cable connector 114 with a dust cap with a polished end face of the held optical fiber through cable 114 and connectors. Such a dust cap is shown in the above-described US Patent Applications. Alternatively, the holes 150 may be closed, such that the polished face of the connector may be protected against dirt with or without a dust cap.

[0019] The housing 160 includes a first end or top portion 152 and a second end or bottom portion 154. A release latch 240 is mounted to the top portion 152 and the projection 242 is in the bottom portion 154. The rails 156 extend between the top portion 152 and the portion underside 154 along the walls 166 of the housing 160. The retainer 238 is located along the rail 156 and extends beyond the rear surface 158 of the rail 156. The housing portion 160 extends beyond the rear surface 158 of the rail 156, being sized to fit within the opening 226. When inserted into the opening 226, the rear surface 158 of the rail 156 meshes with the front surface 228 and the retainer 238 engages. with one of the lugs 236 to a suitably oriented top portion 152 and bottom portion 154 of the housing 160.

[0020] To insert the housing 160 within the opening 226, the bottom portion 154 is first located within the opening 226 by the front surface 228, so that the locking surface 243 of the projection 242 is behind the front surface 228 at the lower end 225 and meshes with the surface rear 229 of front surface 228. The top portion 152 is then inserted within the opening 226. The tilting surface 244 with the release latch 240 meshes with the top end 227 of the opening 226 and deflects to allow the tilting surface 244 and the locking surface 241 of the release latch 240 to pass through the opening 226. The locking surface 241 of the release latch 240 meshes with the rear surface 229. Both opposite the locking surfaces 241 and 243 are rear surfaces 138 of the rails 156 that are coupled to the front surface 228. The two retainers 238 engage with the ears 236 of the opening 226. The release latch 240 includes a finger projection 246 that can be pressed in to pull the locking surface 241 so that the locking surface 241 disengages from the rear surface 229 and allows the housing 160 to be removed from the opening 226. The housing 160 is shaped to be inserted through the front surface 228 of the dividers 124 or 224 when the cabinet 100 or 200 is accessible through the opening 140 in the front portion 126.

[0021] Referring now to Figures 7 to 13, the connector housing 160 of the connector holder 122 includes a slot 170 and locking arms 168 within each opening 150. The locking arms 168 cooperate with the locking elements of the SC type adapter so that they allow such connectors to be held in a manner releasable within the holes 150. For other types and types of joints, various locking elements may be contained within the hole 150 so as to allow the joints to be detachably kept. Setting slot 170 can

- Work with the components outside the SC connector to orient all connectors within the 150 holes in the same way. This arrangement of connectors is not necessary for SC connectors that have substantially symmetrical locking elements, but may be desirable for other connectors with other locking configurations.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 14, splitter 102 includes a housing 172 with cable entry 174 to secondary cable 104 and a pair of cable outputs 176 for cables 114. As shown, each cable output 176 allows up to sixteen cables 114 to exit housing 172. The end of each cable 114 is connector 180 with polished face 182, shown as SC connector. Other sizes and layouts of cable outlets are expected. A different number of cables 114 may come out of the housing 172, depending on the connections required to be met and the splitter optics in the splitter 102. Mounted to one side of the housing 172 is a release latch 178 to hold the splitter 102 within the cabinet splitter mounting area 103 100 or 200 or similarly shaped telecommunications connection cabinets.

[0023] FIG. 14A shows a fiber optic device module 202 similar in layout to splitter 102 with secondary cable 104 and multiple cables 114. Secondary cable 104 may be a single-core cable and module 202 may include a splitter for cable connector 104 with cables 114 as described above with reference to to module 102. Alternatively, cable 104 may be a multi-core cable, and module 202 may only serve as a fan-out module for separating the wires in cable 114. Each of the cables 114 is terminated through a connector 180, and each connector 180 is inserted within the connector holder 122. Such a module 202

The installed connection point described below can be used in the method of adding connection capacity.

[0024] The method of adding connection capacity to the cabinet 100 may include installing the pre-configured splitter 102 in combination with one or more connector holders 122. It is desirable to provide for easy expansion in the connection capacity in cabinet 100, so that cabinet 100 must predict the final configuration of the connection for a given customer service area when installed. Wardrobe 100 may only be with sufficient capacity to handle the immediate need to anticipate the recipient area and allow for incremental growth as more connections are required in the area. The following method of adding connection capacity to cabinet 100 is also possible to use in cabinet 200 and can be used to initiate configuration of cabinet 100 prior to installation or increasing the capacity of cabinet 100 in this range.

[0025] To increase the connection capacity in cabinet 100, a splitter 102 pre-shaped with cable 104 and thirty two cables 114 terminated through connectors 180 is used. Splitter 102 is mounted within splitter mounting area 103 and the free end of cables 104 is routed in structured cable management 112 and up to a 110 splice panel. In the splice panel 110, the free end of the cable 104 is braided at the end of the OSP cable 106. This weave optically connects the OSP 106 cable to each of the 114 cables. The 180 cable connector 114 is previously inserted into the four connector holders 122. led from splitter 102 through

Cables 114 are a cable management structure 112 to a second cable management structure 116, where excess cable length may be left

-15 within the storage system of the hanging part of the cable. Because the splitter 102 may be pre-shaped for use with various cabinets as well as the cabinet 100, the length of the splitter cables 114 may be longer than that required for cabinet 100 and this excess length may be maintained around the spools 117 for storing the hanging part of the cable (see FIG. 1) .

[0026] From the second cable management area 116, the cables 114 and connector holders 122 with inserted connectors 180 are located within the excess cable storage area 118. Each connector holder 122 is simply closed with a click into one of the holes 226 of the partition 124. It is now supplemented with the addition of additional connection capacity. In the event that p customer connection , the customer equipment cable 108 is routed to cabinet 100 and terminated with connector 180. This connector is inserted into the rear opening of the adapter 123 within the array of 120 adapters. Alternatively, when the cabinet 100 is installed, the back of all adapters 123 in the adapter array 120 may have consumer equipment cables 108 and these cables lead to consumer premises awaiting future consumer connections. When such a wired recipient wishes to establish a connection, the cable 114 merely has to be inserted into the front of the corresponding adapter 123. One of the cables 114 within the excess cable storage area 118 is selected and its connector 180 is removed from the connector handle 118. The selected cable 114 is rerouted within the second cable management area 116 as a requirement to provide the desired cable length, and the connector 180 is inserted into the appropriate adapter 123 in the adapter table 120. The connector 180 of the selected cable 114 includes a dust cap to protect the polished fiber face. this

The dust cap is removed before being inserted into adapter 123.

[0027] The splitter 102 includes thirty-two cables 114 and connectors 180 inserted into the four connector holders 122 when the splitter 102 is installed. As these cables 114 and connectors 180 are transferred to the adapter array 120, some or all of the connector holders 122 may be emptied of all connectors 180. When this happens, the empty connector holder 122 can be removed from excess cable storage area 118 and discarded or recycled. Removing these empty connector holders 122 would free holes 226 in the dividers 124 to allow the connector holders for additional splitters 102 that can be installed and a larger capacity that can be added to the cabinet 100.

[0028] If the connection with the recipient's equipment must be terminated, the connector 180 of the respective cable 114 can be removed from the adapter 123. The cable 114 is then re-routed within the cable management structure 116 and the connector 180 is inserted within the opening 150 of the connector holder 122 in within the excess cable storage area 118. [0029] The splitter mounting area 103 of the cabinet 100 includes spaces for mounting up to four splitters 102, while the cabinet 200 provides spaces for mounting up to eight splitters 102. Thus shaped, the cabinet 100 has capacity to connect to separated into four cables TSO for thirty-two cables 114 each, or up to a total of one hundred and twenty-eight cables 114. Within the array of adapters 120, there are a sufficient number of adapters 123 to allow connection to each of these cables 114 to the corresponding cable 108 of the recipient's equipment. [0030] However, the cabinet 200 has a capacity to split up to eight OSP cables into thirty-two cables

-17114 each, or up to a total of two hundred and fifty-six cables 114. A table of 120 adapters in cabinet 200 only provides a total of two hundred and sixteen adapters 123 for placing connectors from cables 114. From the moment when the table of 120 adapters is fully filled with cables 114, it can up to forty excess cables 114 within the excess cable storage area 118 that are not equipped with an adapter 123 to connect to the receiver equipment cable 108.

[0031] As shown in Figures 4 to 13, the connector housing 160 with eight holes 150 has substantially the same outline as a series of eight adapters 123. When the adapter table 120 is fully filled with cables 114 from splitters 102, connector holders 122 they may be removed from the holes 226 in the partition 124 and up to eight adapters 123 may be located in each opening 226. With the five holes in the bulkhead 124 fully filled with adapters 123, an additional forty cables 114 can be connected to the receiver equipment cables 108, effectively increasing the capacity of the array 120 adapters, so that forty redundant cables 114 can be used. Even with the five holes 226 in use by the adapters 123, there are still holes 226 remaining for the connector holders 122, so that cables 114 can be stored when the connection with the customer equipment cables are removed or changed.

[0032] FIG. 15 depicts a third alternative embodiment of a telecommunications connection cabinet 300, similar in shape to cabinets 100 and 200, but comprising a partition 224 in an excess cable storage area 118. The adapter panels 121 and the baffle 224 are angled toward the cable management structure and storage 116 of the hanging part of the cable to improve cable transfer 114 from the cable management structure 116 to adapters 123 and to

-18 connectors 122 connectors. In addition, cable handling 302 is provided on both panels 121 and bulkhead 224 to provide support for cables 114 extending to adapters 123 and connector holders 122, respectively.

[0033] FIG. 16 depicts a fourth embodiment of a telecommunications connection cabinet 400 according to the present invention. Cabinet 400 is similar in shape to the previously described cabinets 100, 200 and 300 with cable management structure cable 416 with a stored hanging part of the cable on both sides of the adapter table 120 and cable excess storage area 118. Adapters 123 near the left side of panels 121 are angled towards the left side of the cabinet 400, and adapters 123 near the right side of panels 121 are angled towards the right side of the cabinet.

[0034] FIG. 17 depicts a fifth embodiment of a telecommunications cabinet 500, comprising side by side structure 502 within the cabinet. Each structure 502 is similar in shape to the contents of wardrobe 400.

[0035] FIG. 18 shows a sixth embodiment of a telecommunications cabinet 600, wherein the excess cable storage area 118 is located along one of the inner walls 602. FIG. 19 shows a septum 604 comprising a plurality of holes 226 for receiving connector holders 122. Other elements within the 600 cabinet are similar to the previously described cabinets. Partition 604 includes a pair of mounting flanges 606 and 608 for proper connection to the interior of wall 602 and rear wall 130 of the cabinet.

[0036] The above description, examples and data provide a full description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since it is possible to implement many embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.